Agnes W. Smudde

Agnes W. Smudde, age 91, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2011, surrounded by her loving family. Agnes was born on June 8, 1919, in the town of Vanden Broek, daughter of the late Fred and Anna (Schumacher) Van Handel. She married Al Smudde on June 29, 1939 at St. John Catholic Church, Little Chute; he preceded her in death on February 9, 2005. She was the mother of 11 children, a proud farm wife, an outstanding mentor and role model for her family. Agnes especially enjoyed music and traveling, often reminiscing about her travels with Al, which she cherished throughout her last days. She was a compassionate, loving mother and grandmother who gave her life unconditionally to her entire family. We will always remember her beautiful smile, warm hugs, and hard-working, caring nature. We will also remember her love for music, entertaining family and friends by playing her concertina at gatherings, reciting old-time songs and poems, her loving hands making beautiful cross-stitch pieces for her children and grandchildren, baking fresh bread every Saturday, and for the care and love she gave to all of us, especially our disabled brother, Brian.
Agnes is survived by her six daughters, Beverly (Donald) Feldkamp, Appleton, Leone (James) Pahl, Brillion, Ann (Dave) Dupont, Appleton, Lois (James) Lemke, Green Bay, Linda (Donald) Moehring, Appleton, and Mary (Joe) Greiner, Freedom; five sons, Richard (Joyce) Smudde, Kaukauna, Ralph (Kathy) Smudde, Kaukauna, Kenneth (Julie) Smudde, Kaukauna, Steve (Sue) Smudde, Kaukauna, and Brian Smudde, Appleton; 21 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Rich (Grace) Van Handel and Erv (Ruth) Van Handel; and a sister, Urs (Clarence) VandenHeuvel.
She was further preceded in death by four sisters, Catherine Van Lanen, Marie Dombrowski, Irene Stoffel, and Audrey Van Camp; three brothers, Art Van Handel, Matt Van Handel, and Bill Van Handel; and many other in-laws.
The Mass of Resurrection for Agnes will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2011, at ST. NICHOLAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, N4088 County Trunk E, Freedom, with Fr. Dave Hoffman officiating. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, January 21, 2011 at FARGO FUNERAL HOME, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., Kaukauna, and on Saturday at church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the mass. There will be a parish prayer service at 7:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be at St. Nicholas Cemetery, Freedom. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in Agnes’ name has been established for Fox Valley Sibling Support Network. Agnes’ family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the very special people who helped the family over the past several months to fulfill her wishes to remain at home: Mary, Evie, Mary K, Flo, Barb, and Jean. We will forever be grateful. You will all be in our hearts forever. The family would also like to extend a thank you to Theda Care Hospice for their help in keeping their mother as comfortable as possible and allowing her to pass with dignity.
“To my dear Godmother,
How blessed my life has been to have you as my Godmother. You have been my inspiration and my hero. Such a beautiful lady; such a beautiful life! Love you to Heaven and back.”
~Debbie

“Thank you mom, grandma, great-grandma, for all the love you brought to our lives. We will love and remember you and all the good times forever.”

Fargo Funeral Home
400 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Kaukauna 766-6200
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www.wichmannfargo.com